Promoting the parish for the benefit of residents

Newsletter March 2015

Friday 3rd & 17th April – Walking for Health starting at the Woolton Hill Church Hall & Friday 10th& 24th April starting at the Rampant Cat

The walks last about an hour and are at a gentle pace. Please wear clothes and shoes suitable for walking in the weather. There is no need to book, just turn up on the day and register. All walks, which are free, start at 10.30am, but if you are coming for the first time please arrive at 10.20am to register. We also cater for slower walkers by having a shorter walk at a slower pace. Afterwards at the WHCH stay for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat.

Saturday 25th March – Barn Dance

The Barn Dance was a great success with all guests saying how much they enjoyed the event. The band “Also Known As” were excellent and guests were treated to a superb supper. We did have a few late cancellations, which meant we had a bit more space. So next time we may think about setting a lower limit on the ticket sales.

Monday 4th May – Crafty Craft Race

The East Woodhay Society is entering a ladies team in this year’s Newbury Crafty Craft Race. Once again we will be raising money for the Ark Cancer Centre Charity and hoping to beat the fastest men’s team for the fourth year in a row. We will be displaying our craft at the next Village Market and hoping to raise some sponsorship. Last year we raised £400, which with the aid of Greenham Common Trust and Newbury Round Table resulted in the Ark Cancer Centre Charity benefitting by £1,800. Once again the event is being sponsored by Newbury Sports Massage.

Drifting through Europe after fleeing political violence in India that finished off the family restaurant business, the Kadams arrive in France. Their van expires in a provincial village and through the kindness of a local, Marguerite, Papa Kadam is inspired to set up an Indian restaurant there. Unfortunately, this puts the Kadams in direct competition with the Michelin-starred restaurant of Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren) across the road, where Marguerite also works as a sous-chef. The resulting rivalry escalates until it goes too far. Eventually, there is an accord initiated by son Hassan, Marguerite and Madame Mallory herself and the subsequent cooperation brings success. The film will be shown in Highclere Village Hall at 8.00pm. Doors open at 7.30pm. Entrance is £6 for non-members and £4 for members.

Friday 10th April – Gardeners Question Time at Highclere Church

The evening starts at 7.00pm with drinks and canapés and questions to a panel of expert gardeners from 7.30pm. The panel includes Christopher Pilkington from Landford Trees, Jez Stamp, the Institute of Horticulture’s Young Horticulturalist of the Year 2013, Louise Wells of Creative Gardening, and Rosemary Hardy of Hardys Plants Tickets are £15 (to include drinks etc.) and are available from Jo Walsh by calling 01635 255013 or sending an email to jo@highclerefarm.wanadoo.co.uk

Wednesday 22nd April–Quiz Night at the Red House, Highclere

The usual format will apply – teams of 4, nibbles at half time….. For more information and to book your place/team of 4, please call 01635 255531. These quiz nights fill up very quickly, so don’t delay!!

Saturday 13th June – Highclere Church Fete

Please make a note in your diaries that the annual church fete will be held in the grounds of St Michaels and All Angels’ Church during the afternoon. of Saturday 13th June. If you would like to help please contact Jackie on 255207.

Saturday 4th July – St Thomas’ Church Fete

Please make a note in your diaries that the annual church fete will be held in the grounds of St Thomas’ starting at 2pm. If you would like a stall or wish to help please contact Bertha Bates on 253199.

Speedwatch

Speedwatch is now up and running with many volunteers, but if you would like to help please contact Chris Loane on 07836-701186 or 255278 or by email chris_loane@hotmail.com

Campaign Group: Safer Roads and Paths in Woolton Hill

The aims of the group are:-

To listen to concerns from people who live in the village and make a significant difference to speeding and inconsiderate/dangerous driving in our village.

To make this a much safer village, where it is safe and easy for EVERYONE to walk or cycle to the Schools, the Sports Club and especially for pleasure

To take responsibility for this important issue. It is getting worse, and we feel there will be another serious accident if we do not try and make a difference.

Achievements to Date:-

Improved traffic flow on C5 at school time with Police cones restricting parking on the blind bend, also reducing pavement driving

Reduced construction traffic at school times

Community Speedwatch funded by PC, manned by Campaign Group

20 MPH advisory speed limit proposed to HCC

Encouraged use of Dust Bin Stickers – SLOW DOWN

Facebook Campaign Group Page, with 190 local members, and growing

How you can help:

Volunteer to help with the Community Speed Watch – we will be able to cover more locations, and monitor traffic speeds more frequently.

February 2014 – Total crimes reported – 14 (including 4 x burglary other and 6 x theft from a vehicle)

POLICING PRIORITIES

Your local Neighbourhood Policing Team needs your help in setting our local Community Policing Priorities for your new policing area, for the 3 months from April 2015.

In order to focus our resources effectively in the community we need you to tell us the issues that are affecting you the most. Our aim is to reduce anti-social behaviour and crime as well as to make your neighbourhood a safe place to live and work.

Please spare just 5 minutes to complete this survey to give us a clear understanding of the issues that matter to you.

Highclere Community Speedwatch will be up and running shortly, we are still actively seeking volunteers for these areas, the more the merrier. Please contact me if you are interested.

Officers are planning additional speed enforcement across the beat and will advise me of these results, I intend to publish statistics in monthly updates throughout the year.

PC Stickland has been assisting in some speed enforcement across the beat this month with one ticket issued for 41mph in Burghclere.

If you are concerned about speeding please address this with your local parish council or directly with me. Parish councils can make us aware of places in need of speed enforcement and these can then be added to our approved list of sites for enforcement.

Other incidents of note

Theft of Oil – 13/02/15 – Newtown, Tothill – Resident noticed that her boiler would not start, at this time she noticed that her oil tank had been drained between mid January and the time of calling.

Assault – 06/02/15 – A roadside worker was threatened by a male with a knife on the A343 near to Penwood. A silver Ford Fiesta was sighted, at this time we have not identified a suspect. 44150042915

Reporting to police

There have been a number of suspicious incidents reported to police by local residents recently. This is fantastic and the information that it can provide us with can help to assist in solving crime.

Unfortunately I must ask that those reporting incidents of any sort do so via our main Enquiry Centre. Please do not email Richard or I directly as this can lead to a delay in investigation of the incident.

Remember if you think something is suspicious, there is good reason to report it to police. Always use the 101 number for non-emergencies. Please think, what makes it suspicious? What may the people/vehicles be in the area for? Can you provide a description or vehicle registration number? Have you spoken with the people? Did they make you more or less suspicious?